What happens when anime fans, gamers, manga and comic readers, wrestling devotees, and Bollywood enthusiasts assemble under one roof? The C.O.R.E. (Culture of Real Experiences) Fandom Fest at the Jio World Convention Centre gave a glimpse of that. HT City got a special preview insight into the two-day festival, held on June 20 and 21, 2026.
A Celebration for All Fandoms
The event brought together people from all walks of fandom. It wasn’t just fans in attendance; celebrities also joined the celebration. Guests included actors Jackie Shroff, Sayani Gupta, Ritwiz, Ashnoor Kaur, Tanuj Virwani, and Ayaan Lall, alongside influencers like Agastya Shah and Prateik Jaiin.
The festival was designed around five immersive themed zones: Tokyo Street, Multiverse Street, India Gully, Mixtape, and Kids Cosmos.
Anime, Gaming, and Global Franchises
Tokyo Street was a paradise for anime lovers, featuring collectibles and merchandise from popular franchises like Doraemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Visitors could participate in workshops on manga drawing, Japanese calligraphy, and origami. The streaming platform Crunchyroll even set up an anime-themed escape room. The cosplay culture was impossible to miss, with fans dressed as their favorite characters throughout the venue.
Multiverse Street focused on global entertainment and superhero culture. Themed installations were inspired by franchises like Friends, Spider-Man, Jurassic World, Shrek, and Minions. A cosplay museum and merchandise stalls were also part of the attraction. Fans could even pose for themed photographs in a Spider-Man photo zone.
Celebrating Indian Excellence and Interactive Experiences
India Gully showcased homegrown creators and Indian intellectual properties. The section featured publications from Amar Chitra Katha, ISRO-themed displays, and installations based on Indian cinematic hits like Kalki 2898 AD and Baahubali, including a Baahubali-inspired throne. Damini Badham, Marketing Head of Amar Chitra Katha, noted the growing interest in Indian stories: “We’re happy anime is here, we’re here too; people read a lot nowadays, we make wonderful sales every year.”
“We’re happy anime is here, we’re here too; people read a lot nowadays, we make wonderful sales every year.”
— Damini Badham, Marketing Head, Amar Chitra Katha
Mixtape Street combined music, sports, and lifestyle experiences. Visitors could try Formula One racing simulators and take part in football-themed gaming challenges. The e-sports arena remained busy throughout the evening. For families, Kids Cosmos featured attractions based on popular franchises, including Moana and Toy Story, along with games and activity zones.
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Live Performances and Participatory Fun
The festival also featured live performances by artists including Ritviz, Nucleya, Karan Kanchan, AminJaz, W.I.S.H, and ONEmpire. A central stage hosted special performances, including a sumo wrestling match where visitors were invited to challenge the Japanese wrestlers in friendly bouts.
Unlike a traditional exhibition, the venue encouraged participation. Interactive zones featured anime quizzes, buzzer challenges, and puzzle competitions. Several booths offered customization like t-shirt printing and temporary tattoos, allowing visitors to leave with a souvenir of their favorite shows and characters. The festival aimed to transform fan culture from something people watch into something they actively experience.
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